Cookie Bakers

M-m-m, Those Cookies Sure

Smell Good!

This is the kind of comment you may hear when our volunteer cookie bakers are on the floors! 

Six students from Mt. Union College have added a new depth to our aromatherapy component at ACH.  These students have found that baking cookies for the patients and residents has been a very rewarding volunteer experience.  As Luke Messner says, “We have a lot of fun, but we have found it very fulfilling to know the residents look forward to our visits as much as we look forward to coming!  We are so happy to be able to make a difference in their day – even if it is a small difference.”

Heather Stump is another proponent of this program.  “I really enjoy the opportunity to do something different in the way of volunteering.  This program is great with my hectic schedule.  It’s a good feeling to know I have brightened someone’s day!”

Our congratulations to our Cookie Bakers, the volunteer department of the month!  This includes Jenny White, Jen Senskey, Luke Messner, Heather Stump, Lexi Tabor and Katie Kasunic. 

Patient Advocate

Patient Advocate Volunteers are the Heart of Caring

This month we take off our hats to those volunteers who provide so much extra attention to our patients, the Patient Advocate volunteers.

“I love what I am doing!  Each time I come in, I know I am going to go home feeling very blessed to have had the opportunity to meet so many interesting patients and family members at ACH.  I have had so many wonderful conversations as I visit the patient rooms.  I enjoy every minute I am here,” shares Patient Advocate volunteer, Kacy Robertson.

And Diana Moore also points out how much this volunteer service means to her.  “I thoroughly enjoy having the opportunity to make a difference in another’s life – even if it is as simple as holding a hand, listening to a patient’s story or getting someone fresh ice water.  Many times I have the opportunity to also visit with the patient’s family, and we discover many of the same interests through our conversations.  I feel such joy when I leave ACH.”

Patient Advocate volunteers provide many hospitalities to patients via the cart filled with a variety of pastimes – magazines, stuffed animals, cross word puzzles, small hand-held games, emery boards, etc., just to name a few.  The ACH Auxiliary provides the funding for the items on the cart.  As the volunteer visits each room, they never know what the patient’s needs may be.  Many times, the patient simply wants someone to talk to or someone to listen to them.

These volunteers have a real compassion for others.  Their schedules are flexible, and the time they spend doing their service varies with the volunteer and the hospital patients. 

We extend a hearty “Thank You” to the volunteers who exemplify the move to the next line Planetree concept each time they visit a patient!

Print Shop Volunteers

Print Shop Volunteers

 “Press” Onward

Have you ever thought about how much printed material we have at ACH?  Think in terms of educational brochures, printed policies, patient packets, Colleague handbooks, orientation packets, training materials – the list is endless!

We know John is the moving force in our Print Shop, but we also know he could not possibly respond to everyone’s request in the timely manner he does if he didn’t have additional help.  Enter the Print Shop volunteers!

Sorting, delivering, stapling, collating and counting are all in a day’s work for these dedicated volunteers.  And each day’s work is different!  According to Jim Gazia, “some days are a lot more exciting than others, but all of the jobs have to be done, so that’s what we do.”

A special thanks to those behind-the-scenes Print Shop volunteers who include:  Jim Gazia, Carl Fenniken, Cele Jonas, Polly Siber and Lynn Hively.  Without their assistance, many of the publications at ACH would be much slower in coming.

Emergency Department Volunteers

Volunteers Offer Valuable

Assistance in Emergency department

Two ambulances arrive with accident victims.  A family rolls up to the door with a loved one experiencing chest pains.  A mother is frantic with a crying baby exhibiting a high fever.  An elderly gentleman doubles over in pain.   A young boy has fallen off of his skateboard and has a nasty cut on his head.  All  are taken care of in a day’s work at the ACH Emergency Department.

With the continual flow of cases in the E.D., it is imperative that all supplies be stocked in each room, as well as having beds and rooms that have been prepared for the next patient.  This is where a group of dedicated volunteers come into play.  These volunteers take pride in the work they perform for the staff and patients.

According to Dave Welsh, a longtime volunteer in the E.D. department, there is a real sense of pride knowing you have helped provide quality service to families during a time of stress.  “I enjoy working with the staff in the E.D..  There is a real sense of family among everyone.  I know that the work I have done, whether it is stocking a room with supplies or preparing a room for the next patient, I have helped make a difference.”

Volunteers provide another valuable service to patients and family members as they provide hospitalities in the E.D. comfort area.  Whether it is visiting with visitors to help ease their minds, providing crayons and a coloring book for little ones, or providing directions to the cafeteria, these volunteers are always looking for ways to assist and help make visitors feel more at ease.

Volunteers who are currently providing service to the Emergency Department include:  Dave Welsh, David Hostettler, Lola Stirtz, Asha Lanham, Carl Barrick, Becky Edwards, Shayna Raj, Kaitlyn Adams, Rick Smith, Holly Morrow, Codi Karlen and Lyndsey Thomas.

Imaging Volunteers

An Image of Our Volunteers

Having procedures performed at the hospital is never an easy or enjoyable event.  Even something as seemingly simple as an x-ray can prove to be a time of anxiety for the patient and family members.  That’s where our volunteers in the Imaging Department come into play!

These volunteers provide several services to our patients.  They escort them to the test area, converse with them to help ease their anxiety, and instruct them on the general preparation for their test.  They are a group of volunteers who recognize the importance of friendly assistance!

Currently, the following volunteers assist in our Imaging Department:  Sandy Schott, Dorothy Rarick, Jackie Varga, Aeriel Gilfort, Dottie Brush, Nola Warstler, Meredith Miller, Erma Lanham and Agnes Bedford.

Community Care Center Volunteers

ACH Volunteers Enjoy Community Care Center Residents

For some, working with the elderly is a passion.  That is certainly the case with those individuals who volunteer their time to the residents of the Community Care Center at Alliance Community Hospital. 

Whether it is calling bingo, assisting with a party, reading the newspaper to a resident, joining in song, watering a resident’s flowers, providing musical selections, holding a hand, sharing a conversation or one of 101 other opportunities, these volunteers love every minute of the time they spend with the residents. 

“A total commitment to the elderly and their needs is what makes our CCC volunteers so special,” explains Marcy Todd, Coordinator of Volunteer Services.  “These individuals have a real passion for the work they do and the service they provide.”

Two of the special projects that our volunteers have brought to CCC include Jennifer Harriman’s formation of the CCC resident choir, and Mark Huebner who has developed an art program for the residents.  Each volunteer gives 100 percent effort to the needs and comfort of our residents

The following individuals are part of the “team” at the Community Care Center:  Jennifer Harriman, John Henry, Sylvia Stoltzfus, Lola Stirtz, Reba Reed, Debbie Lancaster, Mark Huebner, Polly Siber, Kathy Johnson, Kelsea Moore, Elizabeth Rose, Mary Price and Nancy Hamil.

Clerical Services Volunteers

Clerical Volunteers Serve ACH

With the variety of office work at Alliance Community Hospital and its entities, many of the volunteers have found a service area that complements their skills, while providing the volunteer with a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment.  Whether a volunteer is working on the computer, filing, greeting visitors, copying files, collating information, or assembling a packet of information, the clerical volunteers are there to lend a helping hand.

Current clerical service areas at ACH include the Center for Digestive Health, Aultworks, Colleague Relations, Medical Affairs, Medical Records, Patient Satisfaction, Special Projects, Cardiopulmonary, Fiscal Services, Paycheck Distribution, Pastoral Care and Public Relations/Foundation.   These behind-the-scenes volunteers are truly the backbone of the hospital.  If there is a project or event, these are the volunteers who are the first to respond to the need.

A special thanks goes to the following volunteers for the many gifts they bring to ACH:  Mary Dragomir, Anna Kuceyeski, Agnes Bedford, Dottie Mastrek, Judy Martin, Cassie Davidson, Danny Lin, Marion Fosnaught, Jo Salmen, Jean Ferguson, Evelyn Deuvall,                                            Sue Sheets, Marlene Snyder, Jennifer Harriman and Jane Huffman.

Patient Registration

Have you registered?

If there is one place in our hospital that sees more visitors than any another, it would have to be the Patient Registration area.  Generally speaking, the Patient Registration area is the first stop for patients receiving many types of outpatient procedures, and there to greet each one are the volunteers who work in that service area.  These volunteers also enter patient names into the computer system, escort them to the registrars and, when needed assist patients to their hospital room upon admission.

The following volunteers provide assistance in the Patient Registration service area:  Marlene Delong, Anita Benvenuti, Carol Wearstler, Betty Macaione, Jean Crutchley, Deanna Frank, Ella Stewart, Ashley Kosenski, Jackie Varga, Norma Blickensderfer, Dorothy Birney and Ed Metcalf.

A special “thanks” to each of these volunteers for seeing that those individuals entering the Patient Registration area are assisted in a timely manner.

Blood Drive Volunteers

In May of 2006, ACH began hosting monthly blood drives.  Not only was this a leap of faith, but it was also a new challenge for our department and volunteers.  Since then, we have collected 397 productive units at ACH and an additional 187 productive units from our corporate sponsors in 2006. 

How do these volunteers assist during the blood drives?  They greet each donor and walk them through the registration process, while answering any questions the donor may have.  These volunteers are our “Seven second impression!”  What does that mean?  The way someone is greeted, assisted, etc. all happens in that first seven seconds – and it is during that time an individual forms an opinion in determining what kind of an experience they are going to have.

Other volunteers take charge of the canteen which provides refreshments to donors.  This is very important as the donors begin the replenishment process of donating.  These volunteers also offer educational information to the donors and spend time visiting with each individual.